Purpose: To work on making good, quick offensive and defensive transitions, especially when tired. To practice smart decision-making in transition. To practice dealing with chaotic and unplanned situations. To improve conditioning and build stamina.
Drill: Divide into two teams for a full-court scrimmage. Five players from each team are on the court. A coach or manager is on each sideline at midcourt.
Drill begins in the halfcourt with the offense attempting to score against the defense. … [Read more...]

Purpose: To practice the offensive fast break and the the decision-making and finishing skills required. Also to practice defending the fast break from a disadvantage in numbers.
Drill: Divide into two teams, one team on each sideline. The first three offensive players start at midcourt with one basketball. The first two defenders start in the lane.
The three offensive players attack the defenders until they score or turn the ball over. When the basketball is secured by the defense, … [Read more...]

Purpose: A continuous fast break drill that focuses on transition offense and defense and forces players to make quick decisions.
Drill: The Team Blitz starts with a line of players along each sideline (team 1 and team 2). Three members of Team 1 start on the court at the top of the key area, middle player with the basketball. Two members of Team 2 start in the opposite lane from Team 1 and are ready to defend.
To start, Team 1 begins dribbling down the court in an attempt to score … [Read more...]

Purpose: To work on getting back on defense and recovering quickly to defend an offensive player. Also helps develop communication skills and conditioning. The offensive players get work on scoring in a fast break situation.
Drill: The offensive players O1, O2, and O3 start along the baseline in position to run a 3-lane break.
X1, X2, and X3 are the defenders. They will begin in the corner and X1 has the basketball.
The drill begins with X1 handing the basketball to O3. Immediately, … [Read more...]

Purpose: To teach defenders to get back quickly on defense and to help teammates who are slow in recovering. Offensively, players will work on their transition and fast break offense.
Drill: This drill begins in a 4-on-4 halfcourt setup. The players play 4-on-4 until either a shot is made or the defense secures the rebound on a missed shot.
When the ball is rebounded by the defensive team, they will quickly outlet the basketball and push it upcourt in a fast break situation. If the … [Read more...]

Purpose: For the offensive players to work on 3-on-2 fast break skills as well as 3-on-3 principles. For defensive players to work on playing solid defense and preventing the quick basket.
Drill: The drill starts as shown in the diagram with three members of team 1 in a 3-on-2 situation against two defenders from team 2.
As soon as the dribbler or basketball crosses halfcourt the next member of team 2 sprints and touches the halfcourt circle and then chases to help out on defense.
If … [Read more...]

Purpose: To develop fast break skills by having the offensive players work on scoring in transition from an advantage situation and to teach defensive players to hustle back on defense to stop the fast break.
Drill: 5 players will line up across the baseline, as shown. A coach is in the painted area with the basketball. The inside 3 players are on offense, the outside 2 are on defense.
To begin, the coach will pass the basketball to one of the 3 inside players. On the pass, the outside … [Read more...]

Purpose: To work on individual transition defense and closing out on the shooter from a transition situation.
Drill: Use 2 lines as shown. O1 and O2 both have a basketball and are being defended by X1 and X2.
X1 and X2 defend the zig-zag dribble downcourt. The offense isn't really "trying" to beat the defender but if the defender is playing too lazy, go right ahead. Defensively, just remember to stay low in a solid stance and change direction quickly.
As the offensive player nears the … [Read more...]

Purpose: To practice and develop decision-making abilities. To practice finishing in a fast break or transition situation. The focus is normally on offense with this drill, but it also helps defenders learn to work from a numerical disadvantage.
Drill 1: 3-on-2
Drill: 2 defenders start in the lane as shown. 3 offensive players start at the half court line, basketball in the middle. Additional players will wait in lines behind half court.
The drill begins when O1 starts dribbling to attack … [Read more...]

Purpose: This combination drill works on a variety of basketball skills and fundamentals. The offensive players work on dribbling, passing, jump stops, and layups or jump shots. The defender works on stopping the dribbler and then recovering to help defend the wing shot or drive.
Drill: Two offensive players near midcourt, one in the middle with basketball and one near the sideline. One defender begins at the free throw line.
O1 begins by dribbling toward the lane, forcing X1 to defend … [Read more...]